Ravichandran Ashwin didn’t mince words about how he felt about fast bowler Arshdeep Singh being made to sit out the first two ODIs in India’s ongoing series against New Zealand. India went with Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna as their frontline pacers in the first two ODIs and Ashwin had earlier remarked about how resting Arshdeep for this series without keeping out of the larger squad is only going to be detrimental for him. The spin great has now said in his Youtube channel that Arshdeep would end up being rusty the next time he plays.
“He has performed every time you have given him the ball. Give him the place he deserves. Allow him to walk into the eleven with his head held high. He deserves it boss. Now what is the use of him playing the third ODI, why did he not play the first two ODIs. What will that do to his confidence?” said Ashwin.
‘Been in this situation myself’
Ashwin questioned why it is that it is the bowlers who always “I am talking from a cricketer’s perspective. Who is going to stand in Arshdeep Singh’s shoes and think? This is not about how much he played under Rahul (Dravid) bhai and how much he is playing now. It is about what must be going through his head right now. Somebody who has done so much is having to fight for his place.
“The next time he plays, he will be rusty. Whatever you say, cricket is a game of confidence, why does this keep happening with bowlers? It never happens with batsmen. I have been in this situation myself and so I know, it is quite unfair. And that is why I always fight for Arshdeep.
Rana and Prasidh were costly in the first ODI, ending with economies of 6.50 and 6.66 respectively. In the second, both players took a wicket each with Harshit going at 5.47 and Prasidh going at 5.44. Arshdeep played six ODIs last year, taking 10 wickets with an economy of 5.58. Overall, he has taken 22 wickets in 14 ODI matches. Arshdeep is a mainstay for India in T20Is though and is the highest wicket taker for the side in the format with 110 scalps in 72 matches.
India won the first ODI by four wickets and then lost the second by seven. The decisive third ODI will now be played on Sunday in Indore.
